SPARK Programme To Build Skills Among Meghalaya Youth, Conrad Sangma Highlights

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday highlighted the importance of preparing young people for a rapidly changing world, noting that skills such as responsibility, purpose-driven thinking, problem-solving and resilience would remain essential despite advances in technology. He was addressing the District Talent Event under the SPARK Meghalaya programme in Tura.

SPARK, which stands for School Programmes in Articulation, Resilience and Kindness, was launched in 2024 as a pilot programme covering 5,143 students across 25 government schools in all 12 districts of Meghalaya. The initiative was later expanded with support from the Ministry of Education and recognised as a Best NEP Practice. Sangma explained that the programme is designed to help students adapt to changes that traditional education systems may take longer to address.

The Chief Minister noted that technology could replace several routine tasks, but human capabilities such as diagnosing problems, finding solutions and taking responsibility would remain important. He added that SPARK was not intended to replace investments in higher education, skill development or employment opportunities, but to strengthen the foundational abilities students need to make effective use of them.

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According to a senior official, SPARK for students has directly reached 12,078 students across 53 benchmark campuses, including 6,592 girls and 5,486 boys. More than 20,000 students have benefited from the initiative so far. The programme has also been extended to teachers, with 526 educators from 287 schools completing an intensive 30-hour semi-residential training programme at district headquarters.

Sangma also highlighted Meghalaya’s efforts to identify and nurture talent beyond conventional academic programmes. Referring to the state’s sports initiatives, he noted that talent exists across different parts of Meghalaya, including among children who have lacked formal training or even basic sporting equipment. He stressed that quality, rather than quantity, would determine productivity, growth and the state’s future progress.

The Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to sustaining SPARK as a long-term initiative, with the confidence and capabilities developed among children expected to contribute to Meghalaya’s future. He also congratulated the SPARK team and Avenues for their work, recalling his own nervousness with public speaking and noting the importance of giving young people opportunities to build confidence and communicate effectively.

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